Aid to Africa Must Deal With Causes of Poverty

Re “Trading Tomorrow to Eat Today,” July 12: I was born and raised in Ethiopia. I have been living in Los Angeles for 15 years. I am now an American citizen and I have worked with nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles advocating to maintain the federal nutrition programs that help many hungry people in America.

The contents of the article about what Ethiopia is facing is what I have been reading since I was in high school. What struck me is that foreign aid groups spend so much money feeding the starving that they never have enough left to prevent the next famine.

The causes of Africa’s hunger -- drought, war, disease, corruption and overpopulation -- never go away. They fade during the relatively good times, only to return. I hate to say this, but it is the truth.

What happens to all the aid that is poured into countries such as Ethiopia and other developing countries around the world? Are there any “best practices” that the rest of the world can hear and know about? Is there anything that is in place that is working to prevent the causes of poverty?

Turusew Gedebu-Wilson

Los Angeles

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As your excellent series has shown us, many children in Africa are dying because of hunger and disease. Moreover, fear and distrust permeate the Middle East; many of our brave young men and women have died in a war that did not have to be waged, and many of our fellow citizens are without healthcare and employment.

Nevertheless, our president and many of our senators understand the burning issue of the day is to amend the Constitution to define marriage (July 12).

We need to get over ourselves sooner than later.

Mary Louise Dickinson

Alta Loma

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Thank you for the courage to position the horrific sub- Sahara story where it belongs -- on the front page.

Though the words and pictures are gut-wrenching, they provide a continuing reminder to people worldwide that it is the duty of us all -- in any way we can -- to work at stemming the cycle of poverty and famine which keeps this a “story in progress.” If only the local governments would cease their denials and fully join the effort.

Claryce Russell

Pacific Palisades